Quick question

[LeiLey]

Hi hope everyone is ok. I just have a quick question ohh actually might be two in one.

I’ve been taking Fostair inhaler with spacer for nearly a week now, I think it is helping so far, although it made me shaky the first few times of taking it, and I get a mild tickly throat. I also have ventolin as needed.

1. My evening dose of Fostair isn’t due for an hour (I try to take it about 12 hours apart) but I’ve been dry coughing a little for about an hour so could I take the evening dose now - 2 puffs?

2. Could the start of coughing be a sign that my inhaler is due? (Although I have been coughing starting from about 5/6 pm on an evening for a few weeks) I’m ok though not poorly.

Hope this makes sense 😊

[Daisy_FC]

Coughing/tightness/breathlessness can be a sign you need your ventolin.

Am I right in thinking foster has a long acting bronchodilator in it? My preventer does and when I have been in the middle of a flare I often find symptoms get worse in the evening. For me it is that my chest gets tighter/harder to breathe. I do take the preventer a few hours earlier when this happens as for me it settles everything - so it is ok to do that. But I would mention it to your GP/asthma nurse - do you have a review booked with them? as they need to know how well the treatment is working for you and I would tell them that you are coughing every evening too.

[LeiLey in reply to Daisy_FC]

Hi, yes the Fostair has a bronchodilator in it, I was on Clenil preventer for 6 weeks but I was still taking the ventolin a few times a week and waking up coughing so the asthma nurse put me on Fostair. So far my shortness of breath and tightness seems to have improved but it started to on Clenil I thought too. Just the coughing to get sorted but it’s not too bad.

My asthma nurse said she would check after 5 weeks on the inhaler, but she said to speak to her sooner if I need to.

Good to know that I can take the inhaler earlier in the evening if needs be, thank you x

[Poobah]

I'm on Fostair now after years on Symbicort. But I don't get to 12 hours between doses without my Ventolin. My dip happens about 4pm so a wee bit too early for my evening dose of Fostair. I tried a 6 month protocol of only relying on the combination inhaler as a reliever, as well as the morning & evening regular maintenance dose, but my asthma just declined steadily. For whatever reason my lungs just don't tolerate too much long acting bronchodilator in the combo inhaler but responds well to the maintenance dose topped up with Ventolin. I know what should happen per the treatment guidelines but sometimes our lungs don't comply, so it comes down to trial and error in order to find the right regime that suits you best. But always keep your asthma nurse in the loop.

[LeiLey in reply to Poobah]

Hi sounds a lot like trial and error for you too, I hope your current regime helps and you’re ok. Yes I have been told to use either the Fostair as a reliever as well OR the ventolin, nothing set in stone yet, so I’ve just kept to the ventolin for this first week as I know it makes me feel better. Does the Fostair make your throat a bit scratchy at first? Mine does but then after a short while I feel ok, it’s only been a week so will keep persevering with this one and keep the asthma nurse informed, Thank you x

[Poobah in reply to LeiLey]

Yes, if I don't look after my oral hygiene directly after taking my inhalers I really get a sore throat. My voice box seems to have suffered too.

[LeiLey in reply to Poobah]

Ohh has it bless you. Thank you I will make sure I gargle and use mouthwash etc to do the best I can. The ventolin is fine. Thank you merry Christmas 🎄

[ChrissieMons]

The 12 hour advice is a rough guide - you don't need to be too hung up about it. You might need to check your inhaler technique if your throat is a bit sore. Try the ventolin inhaler first to see if that helps, and drink plenty of water. Happy Christmas!

[LeiLey in reply to ChrissieMons]

Ah thank you some very good tips there, and I definitely need to drink more! That’s good to know about the timings not having to be exactly 12 hours, thank you and merry Christmas to you too 🎄